Brace yourselves—Prime Minister Keir Starmer is reportedly on the brink of striking a sweeping 12-year fisheries deal with the European Union, sending shockwaves through coastal communities and Brexit supporters alike.
The long-term pact, expected to be unveiled in talks set for Monday, May 19th, is part of a broader effort to “reset” relations with Brussels. But critics argue it’s less of a reset and more of a rollback on the promises of 2016.
Instead of reclaiming control, as millions voted for during the Brexit referendum and subsequent elections, this new arrangement seems to hand over the keys to British waters—again.
When pressed about the eyebrow-raising 12-year timeframe, Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds ducked the question, offering no clear answers. The silence speaks volumes—and the fishing industry isn’t impressed.
Nigel Farage, Reform UK’s outspoken leader, didn’t mince words: if the reports hold water, this marks “the end of the fishing industry.” Gawain Towler, his former spokesman, drove the point home: “Twelve years might as well be forever. Veteran fishermen will retire, young people won’t enter the trade, and investment will vanish. This is the final nail in the coffin.”
For many, it feels like déjà vu—with the added sting that this time, the betrayal comes from within.
